Indoors or Outdoors?Rabbits can live happily either indoors or outdoors, as long as their key needs of companionship, space and exercise are met...

Traditionally, rabbits have always been kept outdoors in hutches or in sheds and this is still the most popular way to keep a rabbit. However, more and more people are choosing to keep their rabbit indoors, either in a cage or just like a cat i.e. with a litter tray.

There is no right or wrong way to keep your rabbit, as long as it has enough space, companionship and exercise. Indoor rabbits have a longer lifespan on average, mainly due to the lack of predator attacks and the fact that any health issues are picked up much quicker.

Outdoor Rabbit HousingTo keep your rabbit outdoors you will need to invest in a good hutch and exercise run. The hutch should be made of solid wood, be large enough that the rabbit can stretch up on its hind legs and take three full hops in any direction (if you are keeping two rabbits, increase the dimensions). An exercise run will allow your rabbit to stretch its legs and they should be able to exercise at least once a day.

Indoor Rabbit HousingIndoors rabbits can either be kept confined to a cage and let out for exercise or allowed free run of a room (house rabbit). IMPORTANT: Please note that if you do not watch your rabbit when it is outside of its cage there is a change it could eat something that it shouldn't. It could get very sick quickly if what it ate is poisonous to rabbits or die from a block in its digestive system. House rabbits use a litter tray, just like a cat but a different litter pan and litter(please see out "Litter Training" webpage). The size of an indoor cage should be similar to that of a hutch, however, if you let your rabbit out frequently it is not quite so important to have a large cage. If you have a house rabbit, they can obviously take all the exercise they need when they want.

Pros: You will have a closer, more rewarding relationship with your rabbit and it's not so critical to give it another rabbit as a friend.

Cons: A house rabbit may nibble at furniture and cables so safety measures need to be taken (known as rabbit proofing).

In terms of cost, a house rabbit will always be the cheapest option as there is no need to buy an outdoor weather proof hutch. Examples of a indoor cages shown below by Prevue Hendryx. Please note that we do not encourage using a two level rabbit home as your rabbit could break a toe or leg jumping down.